Overview

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of media studies, with a focus on texts, contexts, and the history of media and media studies. This enables students to understand the significant contribution that the media make to the formation of society and culture. Students will also be introduced to competing frameworks for understanding media and their merits.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-October-2025
30-January-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-November-2025
Census date
14-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
12-December-2025
Results released date
10-February-2026
Pathways Teaching 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-February-2026
29-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
08-March-2026
Census date
24-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
14-April-2026
Results released date
09-June-2026
Pathways Teaching 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
22-June-2026
25-September-2026
Last self-enrolment date
05-July-2026
Census date
21-July-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
11-August-2026
Results released date
06-October-2026
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
19-October-2026
29-January-2027
Last self-enrolment date
01-November-2026
Census date
17-November-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
15-December-2026
Results released date
09-February-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Relate specific texts to broader social contexts
  2. Describe the purpose of cultural and critical theory
  3. Analyse the relationship between theory and practice
  4. Critically analyse media texts
  5. Examine the issues surrounding media production, distribution and ownership

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture		 2 12 weeks  24
On-campus
Tutorial 1		 2 12 weeks  24
On-campus
Tutorial 2		 2 12 weeks  24
Specified Activities
Various		 2  12 weeks  24
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		 4.50  12 weeks  54
TOTAL     150

  • Relate specific texts to broader social contexts
  • Describe the purpose of cultural and critical theory
  • Analyse the relationship between theory and practice
  • Critically analyse media texts
  • Examine the issues surrounding media production, distribution and ownership

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
EssayIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,5 
Media JournalsIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4 
Online TestsIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Media Texts and Analysis
  • Semiotics and Signs
  • Form and Content
  • Analysing Media Industries
  • Media Audiences
  • Media Representations of Gender, Sexuality, Class and Race
  • Taste and Criticism
  • Media History and Aesthetic Movements

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.